Richard M. Vanderpool

P. DEAN HOMER FUNERAL HOME 206 WATER STREET PO BOX 1 DUSHORE, PA 18614 TEL 570 928-8163 FAX 570 928-8116 Email pdh@epix.net OBITUARY December 3, 2007 Richard M. “Dick” Vanderpool, age 82, of Dushore died peacefully at home on Monday, December 03, 2007. Born, December 30, 1924 in Spring Lake, Bradford County Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Richard and Roxanna Vanderpool. He is survived by his wife, Julia Gulick Vanderpool, with whom he celebrated 58 years of marriage on November 12 of this year, six children, and twelve grandchildren: son Michael of Manassas, Virginia, grandchildren Kara and Michael as well as great grandchildren Molly and Ellie; son Richard and wife Karen of Bloomsburg, Pa., grandchildren Kristen, Katie and Kyle; daughter Debra McTague and husband Robert of Mountaintop, Pa., grandson Michael; daughter Barbara Vanderpool-Smith and husband Frank of Abingdon, Virginia, grandchildren Alexander and Adam; daughter Julie Williams and husband Keven of Wake Forest, North Carolina, grandchildren Arron and Katelyn; and son David and wife Julia of Midland, Michigan, grandchildren Carla and Erik. He is also survived by sisters Winifred Porter, Raleigh, North Carolina; Nellie Parrish, Melbourne, Florida; Trudy Power, Paso Robles, California and Jean Chakanovsky of Binghamton, New York. In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by brothers, Llewellyn and Garfield Vanderpool, sister, Mrs. Bess Hines and daughter-in-law, Cynthia Vanderpool. He was a member of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Church, Lopez, Pa. as well as a member of the Tennesen Sportsman’s Club, White Ash Land Association, Operating Engineers 410, Veterans of Foreign Wars AJ Bird Memorial Post # 384, New Albany, PA, American Legion McDermott Post #452 American Legion, Mildred, PA, Evergreen Lodge No. 163, F. & A.M., Monroeton and Irem Temple, Dallas, Pa. Prior to his retirement in 1998, Dick founded and operated Triple V Construction Company, Dushore, PA which was engaged in the construction of numerous heavy, highway and bridge projects throughout Pennsylvania. He was an avid hunter. He also took great pride and joy in tending to his garden. Dick graduated from the Wyalusing High School and enlisted in the Navy at age 17 during World War II and was assigned to LST 266. He saw extensive action throughout the European, North African, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Sea theaters of operation participating in battles at Bizerte, Gibraltar, and Anzio. He participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy on Omaha Beach where he was among the first amphibious assault forces to land. Upon completion of his service in Europe he was transferred to the Pacific Theater of Operations. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on January 7, 1946 and was awarded the following medals and diplomas: Naval Medal of Good Conduct; American Campaign Medal; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze stars; Asiatic Pacific Campaign with one bronze star; Operation Overlord Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Republic of France Liberation Diploma of Honor, Sainte-Marie-du-Mont Utah Beach Diploma, and the Republic of France Federation of French War Veterans Diploma. In his professional life, Dick was known to all as a man of great integrity who possessed an unequaled work ethic. His family and friends will always remember him as a pillar of strength whose highest priority was to offer unconditional love and support to all those who had the honor of knowing this fine man. Burial Service will be held on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Church, Lopez, PA with Hieromonk Michael Thier, his priest, and Very Reverend Daniel Kovalak, Holy Cross Orthodox Church, Williamsport, PA officiating. Interment will be in St. Vladimir’s Cemetery, Lopez, PA. Friends may call at the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, PA on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M and there will be a Parastas Service held at 4:00 P.M. Graveside Military Funeral Honors will be accorded by members of McDermott Post #452 American Legion, Mildred, PA. Member are asked to assemble and pass-in-review at 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Church, PO Box 211, Lopez, Pa. or Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration, RR 1, Box 184-X, Elwood City, PA 16117. To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to homerfuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard M. Vanderpool, please visit our flower store.